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Marc Demers, MD, FACS, FSSO, and Anita Nicholson, MSN, FNP-BC, APRN WHAT IF YOU COULD CHANGE T H E WAY YO U AG E ? 1. What does longevity medicine know about your future health that traditional medicine doesn't? The difference between traditional medicine and longevity medicine is that we look farther down the road. Most medical care is designed to identify and treat disease once it appears — high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and count- less other conditions. Longevity medicine focuses on identifying risk years before symptoms develop. Using advanced testing, biomark- ers, and other health data, we can often detect early warning signs and intervene before disease takes hold. The goal isn't simply to treat illness — it's to help prevent it, so people can stay healthier, stronger, and more independent for as long as possible. 2. If you're at a healthy weight, are you really healthy? Not necessarily. The scale tells you how much you weigh, but it reveals very little about what's actually mak- ing up that weight. Some people have a normal BMI but carry too much body fat and too little muscle — a condition often called "skinny fat." Others may be overweight yet have a healthy amount of muscle and excellent metabolic health. The scale can't distinguish between the two. More importantly, it can't tell you how much visceral fat you're carrying or whether you're losing muscle as you age. A DEXA scan can give you a much clearer picture of your health today and your risk for future diseases. 3. Ever wondered what your real biological age is? Forget the online calculators and trendy longevity tests. The single best predictor of how long you're likely to live is your VO₂ Max — a measure of your aerobic fitness. It's assessed during a treadmill or bike test while your oxygen con- sumption is measured as exercise intensity increases. The higher your VO₂ Max, the better your body is at delivering and using oxygen. Why does it matter? Because in large studies, people with the highest VO₂ Max levels had up to a 53% lower risk of death than those with the lowest. If your goal is to live longer and stay healthier, this is one number worth knowing. 4. Is your belly fat hurting your brain? For many men, the answer is yes. Visceral fat — the hidden fat that surrounds your internal organs — isn't just a metabolic problem. Research has linked high levels of visceral fat to a threefold increase in dementia risk, as well as measur- able declines in memory, cognitive function, and even brain volume. The challenge is that you can't see visceral fat in the mirror. A DEXA scan can accurately measure it and help identify risk long before symptoms appear. The good news? Visceral fat can be reduced, and studies suggest that brain function may improve as it decreases. 5. If you could only do three things to improve your chances of staying healthy into your 80s and 90s, what would they be? To stay healthy, independent, and active into our later years, we need to think of ourselves as athletes of aging, whether we like it or not. If you keep your body strong and your cardiovascular fitness high today, you're far more likely to enjoy those later years. That means exercising regularly, avoiding the habits that increase the risk of chronic disease, and staying socially connected to family, f riends, and the world around you. S P O N S O R E D C O N T E N T What can longevity medicine do for your future health? By Marc Demers, MD, FACS, FSSO, who leads the Longevity Program at Age Management Center, where he and his team help people stay healthy, active, and independent as they age. Ask the Expert "Longevity medicine isn't about treating disease. It's about identifying risk years before symptoms ever appear." Schedule a complimentary screening call with one of our longevity experts to learn more. (207) 774-1356 / agemanagementcenter.com Aging is inevitable, and the choices you make today will shape the quality of your years ahead. Our Longevity Program is designed to help you better understand your health, identify risks before they become problems, and create a personalized plan to help you stay healthy, active, and independent for years to come. MORE LEARN SCAN TO

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